The Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. Photo by Harris via Pixabay

SUTTER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - On Aug. 8, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced the fifth round of recommended awardees for last mile broadband projects as part of the $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account Grant Program. This program expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California. This announcement continues a rolling process of awards and recommendations, highlighting the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband for All.

Continuing to invest where it matters most

Many awardees are creating new networks, connecting the next generation to education, improving access to healthcare, and empowering rural communities for economic development and emergency connectivity. Combined, these proposed projects will serve predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state.

This fifth Draft Resolution recommends awarding approximately $91 million for Last Mile Federal Funding Account in Marin, Mendocino, San Benito, Santa Cruz, and Sutter counties benefitting an estimated 32,000 Californians. The recommendations include grants to City of Ukiah, City of Fort Bragg, Round Valley Indian Tribe, Comcast, Marin County, Surfnet, and Hankins Information Technology.

This brings the total amount in grants recommended to $435 million for projects in 22 counties. For a full list of recommendations and awards to date, visit the California Public Utilities Commission’s Federal Funding Account Recommendations and Awards webpage at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/broadband-implementation-for-california/last-mile-federal-funding-account/federal-funding-account-awards.

Draft Resolutions with award recommendations will be released through the rest of the year, each open for public comment. These recommendations will be considered and must be approved by vote of the California Public Utilities Commission’s Commissioners at a public Voting Meeting.

The Draft Resolution issued Aug. 8 is available at https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M537/K568/537568960.PDF and may be on the California Public Utilities Commission’s Sept. 12 Voting Meeting agenda.

Fueling economic growth statewide

Established under Senate Bill 156 (2021), the California Public Utilities Commission’s Last Mile Federal Funding Account is fueling economic growth across rural, tribal, and urban communities statewide.

Since the initial round of applications closed in September 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission has received and reviewed 484 grant applications from every county in the state, totaling more than $4.6 billion in requests. This overwhelming response highlights the urgent need for and the opportunity to expand internet access across California.

In addition to the Last Mile Federal Funding Account, the California Public Utilities Commission is investing in a suite of programs in the state’s efforts in connecting millions of Californians with reliable, affordable high-speed internet, including the California Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF).